Connecting the lower jaw to the temporal bone on the side of the face, the temporomandibular joint is also called the mandible. The joints are very flexible, and the muscles attached allow you to move your jaw in many directions. Temporomandibular joint disorder is a very painful disorder of the jaw joint and the overall movement of the jaw.
Symptoms of TMJ
This jaw joint and muscle disorder has a variety of symptoms. Some are quite different than others in terms of pain and aggravation. The common symptoms of TMJ are pain in the jaw joint, pain in the muscles when you chew, stiffness of the jaw muscle, and locking or limited movement of the jaw. Sufferers of TMJ also have pain that radiates in the face, jaw, or down the neck, popping, grating, or clicking when the mouth opens and closes, and a change in the alignment of the teeth.
Acupuncture and TMJ
If you suffer from TMJ, you may have tried traditional treatments. Traditional medicine and treatments often mask the root of the problem of the TMJ and may not always be effective. If these treatments have not been helpful for you, acupuncture may be an option. Acupuncture is a great way to treat TMJ because there are no side effects from medications and it has been shown to work.
Acupuncture focuses on the mind and body and helps reset and regulate the neuromuscular jaw tension. Using the pressure points determined by the acupuncturist, the treatment will relax the muscles and rid your body of excess levels of stress that may be contributing to the TMJ. Acupuncture also stimulates the nerve and increases the nerve signals from cell to cell. This also causes the positive release of endorphins and neurotransmitters to help alleviate the pain in the jaw.
If you have TMJ and want another treatment option, or would like to combine treatments, acupuncture may be an option for you. Used alone or with other treatments, you should see the results and relief of the TMJ once the acupuncturist begins your individualized treatment plan.